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11,000 km in 30 days

This summer I exhausted myself pushing the travel bug to its limits.  Probably slept a mere 100 hours aided by amazing filter coffee and Chai.

Trains, planes, boats, ropeways, cars, auto rickshaws and buses helped make the journey happen.  So did a number of kind souls playing a key role behind the scenes to coordinate and book connections (people I had never met before and likely might not) or recommend hotel accommodations in foreign lands.  To them I am grateful.

The first half of my travels was with my wife and daughter.  That took us north and east from Mumbai.  We ventured into Jharkhand to visit places my wife grew up schooling and playing.  It was dramatic, hot and humid with a serious downpour to keep things interesting and interspersed with tons of milk based mithais that region is famous for.

Rosgolla with a dense center

Chenna Pulao

Cashews in sugar mixed with other dried nuts

Last minute shelter, Bistupur, Jamshedpur

I rather prefer UGGs - let's moo on

More gullas on the way to Ranchi
We wrapped up a few days in Jharkhand then flew south to Hyderabad with a 3 day itinerary.

Our flight plan took us through the capital Delhi - much to our chagrin adding a couple hours each way but the new Terminal was a welcome relief from memories past - ate chaat (street food right inside the terminal)

As wife and daughter flew back to Pune, I set out on the solo adventure that took me east then south - all the way to the tip (Cape) of the continent and the Triveni Sangam (three oceans meet).

Simhachalam - home to Narsimha the half lion half man on a hill in Vizag, AP

Ropeway to Kailasgiri hill - Vizag

Fishing Harbor, Vizag

On the way to Araku Valley, Vizag

Highest altitude broad gage station (1 km above MSL)

French town, Pondi

Matri Mandir - Auroville, Pondi (meditation hall designed by late Roger Anger)

Dwarpal - the bouncers at Gangaikonda Cholapuram

In love, Gangaikonda Cholapuram - legacy of Rajendra Chola



On the way to Rameswaram - Pamban Rail Bridge on Bay of Bengal



View of Vivekananda Rock and Thiruvillavur statue, Kanyakumari
 

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